Consultative Process Meetings.

The first of 5 public meetings on the future of Irish rugby, part of the consutative process launched by the IRFU, will take place in the Park Avenue Hotel, in Belfast, Sept 24th.

The first of 5 public meetings on the future of Irish rugby, part of the consutative process launched by the IRFU, will take place in the Park Avenue Hotel, in Belfast on Wednesday, September 24th.

The meetings, which are open to the public, are scheduled to take place over a 2 week period beginning on the 24th of September and ending with the Connacht meeting in Galway on October 8th.

The meetings are part of the consultative process launched by the IRFU in July. It is the first time such meetings have been held by any Irish governing sports body and the consultative process itself is a first in world rugby.

The IRFU is encouraging the rugby public to engage with the process by first reading the consultative document (available from the IRFU and the branches and on the internet from www.irishrugby.ie; then making a written submission either individually or through a rugby club and finally to attend one of the public meetings. Tickets for the meetings are available from the four provincial branches. A maximum of 400 people will be able to attend each meeting.

Ulster - Wednesday 24th September in the Park Avenue Hotel, Belfast at 6:30pm.

Munster/Cork - Monday 29th September at the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork at 6:30pm.Munster/Limerick - Tuesday 30th September at the South Court Hotel, Limerick at 6:30pm.

Leinster - Tuesday 7th October at the Burlington Hotel, Dublin at 6:30pm.

Connacht - Wednesday 8th October at the Radisson Hotel, Galway at 6:30pm.

Club and school representatives, branch officials, IRUPA members and officials and IRFU officials will be joined by members of the rugby public at each meeting. There are two meetings in Munster to accomodate the two primary rugby centres in the province.

The purpose of the meetings are to give the stakeholders and general rugby public the opportunity to discuss the areas they feel are of greatest importance to the future of Irish Rugby, and give the S.P.G. valued feedback on the consultative document. In so doing the meeting will address all of the key action areas identified in the Consultative Document. These are:The domestic game.The professional game.

Facilities.Commercial & Marketing Development of Irish Rugby.Finance.Governance, leadership and operations.

Meeting Format. The total meeting time will be in the region of two and a half hours. The S.P.G. will start the meeting with a presentation which will last approximately 20 minutes. This will be followed by feedback sessions facilitated by Genesis Strategic Management Consultants. The feedback sessions will be split into four parts. In the first session the attendees will discuss the vision for Irish Rugby as laid out in the document namely, Irish Rugby excelling in Irish Sport and in World Rugby.Attendees will then be afforded the opportunity to address some of the action areas outlined in the document in two sessions before a general session to summarise the main points wraps the meeting up at around 9 o'clock.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt praised the squad's 'immense character' following the 27-24 GUINNESS Series success against Australia. Meanwhile, captain Rory Best reflects on 'an emotional day' as he made his 100th appearance for his country.

Irish Rugby TV brings you a behind the scenes look at Ireland's final GUINNESS Series game against Australia. Joe Schmidt's men marked captain Rory Best's 100th cap with a superb 27-24 victory over the Wallabies.

Saturday's GUINNESS Series clash with Australia marks Michael Kearney's last game as Ireland team manager. We spoke to him about five memorable years in the role. Watch out for a couple of special cameos!

We're ready to create something legendary. A showcase for rugby nations old and new. A tournament that will grow the game globally, promote the values, spirit and ethos of rugby and will capture the world's imagination. #Ireland2023 - Liam Neeson gives voice to Ireland's bid to host Rugby World Cup 2023.

Tickets are now on sale for the first ever Women's November International Series to be held in the UCD Bowl. Kids go free with any adult tickets. Ireland will face world champions England, top ranked Canada and the Black Ferns of New Zealand.

Tournament Director Garrett Tubridy sets the scene for an exciting weekend of rugby at UCD where 16 Women's Sevens teams will battle it out at for one qualifying spot for the Rio Olympics. Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie/sevens.

Tadhg Furlong reflects on a disappointing day for Ireland against South Africa. However, he will take positives from his first Test start and be ready to build for the final match of the series in Port Elizabeth.

Paddy Jackson is preparing for Ireland's second Test against South Africa on Saturday (kick-off 5pm local time/4pm Irish time). The Ulster out-half has been checking out Ellis Park in advance of the match.